What do you mean she doesn't have a power base? She has the BA hunters, two Blue Sitters, etc. as a solid support base in the Hall of the Tower. Together, they ensure that the Hall cannot pass any legislation that she strongly opposes. She also has Silviana, Nynaeve and Siuan, all influential women in the Tower.
Then, she has the position itself. As she showed with her actions to get the rulers of world to meet Rand, as long as you approach its power rationally, just being the Amyrlin Seat is a lot of power. Short of the Dragon Reborn, it is the most powerful position in the world, and that still holds true.
The reason why I think she isn't a great ruler is different. I think, like Rand, Nynaeve, Cadsuane, etc., Egwene is usually a quantum ahead of the people she's leading and is impatient at the slow speed with which they catch up. When she is concerned with the Seals, for example, many of those she leads are concerned with politics. She has not yet shown to ability to make a huge number of her followers excited about what she wants to do. She's spent too long having to manipulate them, and so she doesn't resort to simply talking to people like Romanda and Lelaine and trying to include them in her concerns.
People like Perrin, on the other hand, are better because they are blunt with the people they lead. Egwene needs that. Rand needed that, but has improved dramatically after his epiphany. Egwene may be headed there, but she has a ways to go yet.
Then, she has the position itself. As she showed with her actions to get the rulers of world to meet Rand, as long as you approach its power rationally, just being the Amyrlin Seat is a lot of power. Short of the Dragon Reborn, it is the most powerful position in the world, and that still holds true.
The reason why I think she isn't a great ruler is different. I think, like Rand, Nynaeve, Cadsuane, etc., Egwene is usually a quantum ahead of the people she's leading and is impatient at the slow speed with which they catch up. When she is concerned with the Seals, for example, many of those she leads are concerned with politics. She has not yet shown to ability to make a huge number of her followers excited about what she wants to do. She's spent too long having to manipulate them, and so she doesn't resort to simply talking to people like Romanda and Lelaine and trying to include them in her concerns.
People like Perrin, on the other hand, are better because they are blunt with the people they lead. Egwene needs that. Rand needed that, but has improved dramatically after his epiphany. Egwene may be headed there, but she has a ways to go yet.
Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 05:59:15 PM
- 2233 Views
Egwene isn't supposed to be a leader. She's a dictator and a politician.
16/12/2010 08:21:13 PM
- 1397 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM
- 1080 Views
If the Shadow had removed Elaida so Egwene was Amyrlin whilst Rand was still Dark ...
16/12/2010 11:56:08 PM
- 1035 Views
Same thing if Elaida was in charge when meeting w/ Dark Rand. *NM*
17/12/2010 02:10:20 AM
- 537 Views
Except Rand wouldn't go to the WT with Elaida in charge, without having to fight
17/12/2010 02:50:18 AM
- 1164 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 03:07:40 AM
- 1174 Views
Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 04:52:34 AM
- 951 Views
Re: Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 05:44:30 AM
- 1059 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 02:30:48 PM
- 1119 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 08:25:39 PM
- 894 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
18/12/2010 05:06:21 AM
- 1052 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
19/12/2010 08:41:31 PM
- 964 Views
Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. *NM*
20/12/2010 12:14:55 AM
- 567 Views
Re: Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends.
20/12/2010 01:24:12 AM
- 1014 Views
And the most painful torments were caused by Egwene
20/12/2010 09:31:44 AM
- 1128 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM
- 892 Views
She has the same power base as any Amyrlin - the Aes Sedai, the artisans, Guards & citizens of TV
17/12/2010 05:51:20 PM
- 1045 Views
Ta'veren vs. Mary Sue
17/12/2010 07:33:28 PM
- 1431 Views
I see them as being the same thing.
17/12/2010 08:11:30 PM
- 1055 Views
I don't think the case can be made for Rand having it easy
17/12/2010 11:04:58 PM
- 973 Views
I would say that in the grand scheme of things, Rand's had good to balance out the bad.
20/12/2010 06:27:35 PM
- 963 Views
Funniest statement I've ever seen on here.
18/12/2010 05:22:28 AM
- 1068 Views
But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
20/12/2010 06:17:17 PM
- 1367 Views
Re: But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
22/12/2010 05:28:01 PM
- 1141 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons...
18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM
- 1092 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon?
18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM
- 915 Views
Definitely...
18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM
- 955 Views
I think comparing Egwene to McCain is asking for trouble on several fronts.
20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM
- 924 Views

She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 02:41:32 AM
- 945 Views
RJ is more powerful.
20/12/2010 03:25:49 AM
- 1066 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:46:22 AM
- 1018 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:55:03 AM
- 888 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 10:27:59 AM
- 979 Views